Isle Abbotts Residents Information Sheet
A printable version of this Information Pack is available by clicking this link
This page is published by Isle Abbots Parish Council and sets out useful contact and other information specific to the Parish. It is intended primarily for new residents, but we hope some of the information will also be useful to others.
For the latest information on events and services, plus some interesting historical detail, visit the village website: www.isle-abbotts.org.uk
South Somerset District Council produces a contact list for District and County Council services each year. If you need a copy, call SSDC on 01458 251151 and they will send one to you.
Your elected parish councillors all live in Isle Abbots. They are available to try and help with any matter of local concern and have established key contacts to deal with such matters as planning, road defects and aircraft noise. The public is welcome to attend Parish Council meetings Š an agenda is displayed on the Parish Council notice board adjacent to the Jubilee Tree in Chapel Road a few days beforehand.
| Chairperson: Tony Habberfield, Northalls Farm | Tel 281526 |
| Parish clerk: Elaine Guest, Willersey | Tel 281407 |
| Councillors: | |
| Mark Humphry, Manor Farm, | Tel 281597 |
| Jackie Jay, Lumbards, | Tel 281521 |
| Martin Rickitt, Bromes House, | Tel 281226 |
| Peter Herbert Closefields, | Tel 281889 |
Our local SSDC councillor is Sue Steele, Colliers, Isle Abbots, Telephone 01460 281107
Most of the village falls within a designated conservation area. This seeks to maintain the special character of the village, and brings with it various additional planning constraints including restrictions on tree felling and erection of TV satellite dishes. An explanatory leaflet on planning in conservation areas is available from the SSDC (phone number above). It can be a lot less stressful and expensive to check the rules before carrying out any work!
A neighbourhood watch scheme is in operation. If you see anything suspicious, contact the co-ordinator, Peter Herbert on 281889. Peter maintains contact with our police liaison officer. If you see a vehicle or its occupants acting suspiciously, please note the vehicle make and registration number together with time and date and let Peter have the details. Remember that people donÕt usually visit Isle Abbots without a reason, legitimate or otherwise! Noting details of strangers may help to establish a pattern, and possibly prevent a crime. Unfortunately it is inviting trouble to leave dwellings, sheds or outbuildings unlocked at any time, day or night. We now have a Police Community Support Officer who visits the village regularly.
Our Police Community Support Officer - Beth Unthank - is based at Ilminster Police Station, telephone 0845 456 7000 email: ssnsomertonwest@avonandsomerset.police.uk
The travelling library visits Isle Abbots on alternate Tuesdays. It stops at the Village Hall f rom 12.30 to 12.40 and moves on to Abbots Orchard, Church Street from 12.45 to 13.00. A visit schedule is available from the library, or by calling 01460 63321.
Postal collections from the postbox in Church Street are at 16.15 Mondays to Fridays, 09.00 on Saturdays. You can also hand letters for posting to the postman when he delivers your mail. South of the village there is also an inconspicuous posting box at Round Oak (the first crossroads going towards Ilminster).
Isle Abbots low-lying position makes the approach roads liable to occasional short-term flooding. You are strongly advised not to attempt to travel via Two Bridges when the road is flooded as the water can become dangerously deep for any vehicle. The route least likely to be impassable in flood conditions is usually that to the Southwest via Merryfield and Ilton. Further advice on flood diversion routes is available from any parish councillor.
The Church holds regular services - full details of the months services is shown on the notice board outside. If you would like the Parish Magazine delivered each month, contact Churchwarden, Elaine Guest 281407.
After being silent for over 100 years, the church bells were restored in 1999, and there is now a thriving bell-ringing team, which practices most Thursday evenings. New bell-ringers are welcome Š and no prior experience is necessary. Contact the tower captain, John Lucas on 281556 for further information.
The designated primary school for Isle Abbots is at Hambridge telephone 01460 281370 although most village children currently go to Curry Mallet Š telephone 01823 480421
The village playgroup for 2 to 5 year olds meets regularly in the Village Hall. See the notice board outside the village hall for details of the current organisers.
The village choir meets in the village hall on most Mondays at 7.30. Contact David Sutcliffe 281440 for details.
Details of village hall events appear on the notice board outside. The hall, tables and chairs are available for hire for private functions. Details from Helen Evans, 281108.
A semi-useful bus service operates from the village. Currently there are services to Taunton on Wednesday and Saturday, Ilminster on Thursday and Langport on Tuesday. A timetable is displayed in the bus shelter. Telephone 01823 358299 to check current times of any bus service in Somerset. The nearest regular bus service is the 54, Taunton to Yeovil via Fivehead.
Please keep your speed down whilst driving through Isle Abbots. Children and pets often roam freely! Remember that wide agricultural vehicles sometimes use the roads, so please park considerately.
Helicopter noise is a feature of life in the area! In the event of excessive noise or low flying you can talk to the airfield controller at Merryfield on 01460 52018 or to Richard Seymour, public relations officer at Yeovilton on 01935 455226.
If you are a dog owner, think of other residents, and use a poop-scoop. You can be fined if you donÕt!
Rubbish Collection is normally on alternate Wednesday mornings. Changes due to public holidays are shown on the Parish Council notice board adjacent to the Jubilee Tree in Chapel Road. The recycling scheme collects every Wednesday, normally one day later after a bank holiday. Leaflets giving the current collection details are available from SSDC 01458 251151.
Believed correct as at 16 October, 2008. Please contact Martin Rickitt, 01460 281226 with additions/corrections for future editions.